A man there was, a gentle soul, <br />Of mild enquiring mind, <br />Who came into this neighbourhood <br />Its wonders for to find [ … ] <br /> <br />They told him who had put the lid <br />On Lydney; who the ale <br />Misspelt in Aylburton. And he <br />Delighted in the tale. <br /> <br />And still, like little Oliver, <br />He softly asked for more; <br />And with the utmost courtesy <br />Was answered as before. <br /> <br />Until one sleepy summer's eve <br />He came all unaware <br />Unto a place called Ruardean, <br />And asked ‘Who killed the bear?' <br /> <br />The man arose and punched him flat; <br />Another punched his head, <br />And when the rest had done with him <br />Our gentle friend was dead. <br /> <br />The moral of this simple tale <br />Is plain. Dear friend, beware! <br />If you should visit Ruardean <br />Don't mention any bear. <br /> <br />If you should climb to Yorkley Slad <br />Pause not to question why <br />They put a pig upon the wall <br />To see the band go by. <br /> <br />And if your feet so far should stray <br />As Dymock, lest some hurt <br />Befall you, make no mention of <br />The man without a shirt. <br /> <br />Nine lives have cats, and you but one: <br />Risk not that gift of God! <br />It's better to be ignorant <br />Than dead beneath the sod.<br /><br />Frederick William (FW) Harvey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/warning-44/
